More From NBC

Bill's defensive line

From NBC/NJ's Carrie DannBOONE, NC -- In the North Carolina college town that is home to one of football's greatest upsets, Bill Clinton was quick today to paint his wife as an underdog -- and as a defensive player.

"Most of what people have said in this campaign is wrong, including who's been more positive and who's been more negative," said Clinton in an address to more than 2,000 at Appalachian State University. "She's talked relentlessly about the solutions. She won in Pennsylvania after being hit with negative ad after negative ad after negative ad, and negative letters. And all she did was respond."

Clinton opened his remarks with a shoutout to the school's football team, which famously defeated the University of Michigan in a stunning upset last fall. "I think it will have special meaning here if I begin with a line I always say today," he said. "Whenever somebody tells you you can't win, it's because they're afraid you will."